Why is the Private Forest Program Stunted in Nepal?
Article
Article Title | Why is the Private Forest Program Stunted in Nepal? |
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ERA Journal ID | 5117 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Aryal, Kishor (Author), Rijal, Arjun (Author), Maraseni, Tek (Author) and Parajuli, Manisha (Author) |
Journal Title | Environmental Management (New York): an international journal for decision-makers, scientists and environmental auditors |
Journal Citation | 66, pp. 535-548 |
Number of Pages | 14 |
Year | 2020 |
Place of Publication | United States |
ISSN | 0364-152X |
1432-1009 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-020-01343-z |
Web Address (URL) | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00267-020-01343-z |
Abstract | Private forest (PF) program has the potential to be one of the most efficient forest management programs in Nepal but it has not gained the momentum compared to the other forest management regimes. Considering this, this paper aims to portray policy provisions, existing institutional arrangements as well as landholder experiences and perceptions over the existing mechanisms of PF registration, management, and forest product harvesting. Using the Sudoorpashchim province of Nepal as a case study, we conducted policy and literature reviews, key informant interviews, household surveys, and field observations. We found only 300 PFs registered in the Sudoorpashchim province, with lowland districts having the highest proportion (87%). Institutional arrangements and procedures for timber harvesting and selling were found to be lengthy and complex, with this being a major issue for PF owners with small forest areas. Government initiatives are inadequate to facilitate PF development due to poor implementation of policy provisions, as well as the lack of appropriate incentives and program packages. Despite a very small government investment in PF development, we found the return from PFs in terms of timber supply to be substantially higher than other forest management regimes. Among others, PF owners perceive the cumbersome regulatory procedures and lack of technical support to be the most pertinent factors responsible for the limited growth of PFs. Based on our results, we have discussed and recommended a number of policy and institutional measures to mainstream PF development programs, in order to support economic prosperity of the nation. |
Keywords | Private forests; Institutional arrangement; Policy awareness; Forest product harvesting; Timber supply |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 410406. Natural resource management |
Byline Affiliations | Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment, Nepal |
Department of Forests, Nepal | |
University of Southern Queensland | |
Clemson University, United States | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q5zv0/why-is-the-private-forest-program-stunted-in-nepal
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